All animals must make choices regarding what foods to eat, where to eat, and how much time to spend feeding. Optimal foraging theory explains these behaviors in terms of costs and benefits. This laboratory exercise focuses on optimal foraging theory by investigating the winter feeding behavior of birds on the goldenrod gall fly by comparing…

MATHCOUNTS is a national coaching and competition program designed to stimulate 7th- and 8th-grade students' interest and achievement in mathematics. Teachers and volunteers coach students beginning each fall and continuing throughout the year. Participating schools can select individuals or four-person teams to compete in on-site competitions.…

Discusses the goals of experiments which show examples of the use of solar energy on a scale suitable for a school laboratory. Highlights the history of discoveries and developments in photoelectricity. Presents investigations and experiments, that can be performed by students. (JRH)

Offers a progressive series of eight lessons designed to guide students in generating questions, creating investigations, and finding answers. (AIM)

Presents an experiment in which students can verify a number of basic ideas about electrical circuits and resistors. (CCM)

Describes two experiments in which a pendulum was used to determine acceleration along the runway during the takeoff of a plane and the takeoff speed. Uses a water-filled nanometer to determines the drop in cabin pressure during the flight. (CCM)

Reports on the development of a mathematics course in fractals and dynamic processes for volunteer students in the second phase of secondary education in the Netherlands. Presents findings on the correct way for teachers to coach students in investigations. (Author/MM)

The difference between mathematical "investigations" and "investigating," used in two different British reports, is discussed. Investigations means an extensive project or extended exploration into a mathematical problem or topic. Investigating is promoted as an ongoing teaching method. (MNS)

Presents investigations, recommended for grades four through eight, in which students design and create their own tops using everyday materials. Discusses preparation, concept development, concept application, and integration with other subjects. (JRH)

Presents a teacher's journal that describes a third-grader's investigation of prime numbers including his communications with a university faculty member. (JRH)

Describes a course that uses video production projects to entice lower level students into independent field investigation, reinforce their scientific curiosity, and build their confidence in the value of their own observations. Discusses the rationale behind using video, the lab structure, the success of this approach, and logistics and…

Reports on rich mathematical activities that integrate different mathematics strands and learning. Describes how to introduce the task and the classroom setting, set up the task, and continue the investigation. Presents student work samples. (ASK)

Discusses reasons why problem solving has failed. Offers an alternative approach--the use of investigations in mathematics instruction. Lists the characteristics of an idealized classroom. (ASK)

Describes the use of a graphing calculator-based laboratory (CBL) device that provides a portable data-collection system that students at high school and college levels can use to conduct projects in chemistry. Reviews possible uses for CBL in a chemistry program. (Author/CCM)

This book contains 101 investigations for chemistry classrooms. Topics include: (1) Physical Properties; (2) Reactions of Some Elements; (3) Reactions Involving Gases; (4) Energy Changes; (5) Solutions and Solubility; (6) Transition Metals and Complex Ions; (7) Kinetics and Equilibrium; (8) Acids and Bases; (9) Oxidation-Reduction; (10)…